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The Word Among Us

Thursday, September 04, 2003

Meditation
Luke 5:1-11

Peter and his coworkers fished all night. No doubt they exhausted all the possibilities of making a catch before they returned to shore empty-handed. It’s a small wonder, then, that he was astonished at the immense haul of fish that filled his nets when, at Jesus’ direction, he let the nets down into the water once more. Peter recognized that here was someone who exercised divine power. Suddenly aware that he was in God’s presence, Peter fell to the ground before Jesus, acknowledging his sinfulness.

We too may come to a similar point of recognizing God’s holiness and our own sins. In the face of some act of God in our lives, we may become painfully aware of our unworthiness. Some of us have an unfortunate tendency to dwell on our sins. Guilt, shame, contempt for ourselves—any number of negative emotions—flow in like the tide. If only they could flow out as quickly!

But notice Jesus’ response to Peter. He didn’t answer Peter’s confession directly. Rather, he moved past it and told Peter of the great new role he had in mind for him. To Peter’s cry of remorse—“Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”—Jesus answered with a reassuring promise: “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men” (Luke 5:8-10).

This is how God looks at us: not as sinners mired in offenses but as servants called to carry out important work. God knows our sins. But when we repent, he forgives us immediately and calls us to move right on to the business of his kingdom. In a sense, we really have no right then to dwell on sins that God has removed. Brothers and sisters, God’s mercy has no limit! He delights to show us his kindness. If he did not withhold his love and mercy from us before we loved him, will he refuse us now? Of course not (Romans 5:8)! So let us press on in serving the Lord, confident that his mercy is greater than our sin and that he will carry us through to heaven.

“How awesome is your love for me, Jesus! Like Peter, I toil fruitlessly, only to have you fill me abundantly with your life. In love, you look past my failings and point me to your perfect plan. Thank you, Jesus, for your boundless mercy!”

One Bread, One Body

<< Thursday, September 4, 2003 >>

Colossians 1:9-14

Psalm 98

Luke 5:1-11

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DIVING FOR JESUS

“Master, we have been hard at it all night long and have caught nothing; but if You say so, I will lower the nets.” —Luke 5:5

On January 6, 2001, the feast of the Epiphany and the official end of the Great Jubilee, Pope John Paul II prophesied: “Put out into the deep” (Lk 5:4, our transl). By this, he called us to invest all our energy into the “new evangelization.”

Now, over two years after this jubilee papal prophecy and command, we should examine our consciences to see whether we have obeyed the Lord and are boldly sharing our faith in Him. Pope John Paul II has given us knowledge of God’s “will through perfect wisdom and spiritual insight” (Col 1:9). Now we must “lead a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him in every way. [We] will multiply good works of every sort and grow in the knowledge of God” (Col 1:10).

To “put out into the deep” is analogous to diving into a pool of water. Jesus must tell us where and when to dive. Otherwise, we may harm ourselves and others. Nonetheless, when Jesus says, “Dive,” we must trust Him completely and abandon ourselves to His perfect will.

Have you “put out into the deep”? Are you “in over your head”? Don’t worry. Nothing is over Jesus’ head. Don’t be timid or fearful. You are a child of God and anointed with the Holy Spirit. Dive!

Prayer: Father, may I be willing to “go through a brick wall” for Jesus.

Promise: “He rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son. Through Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.” —Col 1:13-14

Praise: Julie decided to put her energy into a “new evangelization” by starting a service ministry sponsored by the youth in her parish.